One has only to think that you are already ready for anything, as 18 women open their eyes to even more unexpected symptoms during pregnancy.
Long before you even start trying to conceive, you already have an idea of the long list of standard pregnancy symptoms like:
And when it's your turn, you think you're ready for anything. But no matter how much you read, consult your doctor, or ask friends who have already been through it, there are symptoms that everyone prefers to keep quiet about. What's the matter here?
We can blame these symptoms on "hormonal swings" that cause unexpected emotional and physical changes.
Some of them are well-known, and some cause a whole ton of unpredictable reactions, which would be great to know about in advance.
Since your best friend either forgot to mention it or, let's be honest, she probably just didn't experience it, as every woman's experience is unique, here are 18 personal pregnancy symptoms that these moms-to-be were completely unprepared for.
What's going on "down there"
Shooting pain in groin.
“When I felt the shooting pain, I thought that something was wrong with me. It was so strong that I remember how my knees buckled and I lost my balance. So I immediately called my gynecologist to see if I needed to go to the hospital.” – Melanie B., Charlotte, North Carolina
Pro tip: Shooting pain in the groin is often felt when you move or feel your baby move. This is due to the pressure and position of the baby as it descends into the birth canal in preparation for birth. Some moms have noticed that being active, swimming, and supportive tops can help.
Internal hemorrhoids.
“I never had hemorrhoids, so at first I wasn’t even sure what it was, so I checked the symptoms on the pregnancy app and, of course, it was it! I went to my gynecologist; he gave me an ointment but it didn't work and then we found it was internal so there was nothing I could do about it. It appeared when I was 6.5 months old, now 5 weeks have passed since the birth, and I still have not cured it. It's a sharp pain, especially when I'm driving or sleeping. It was hard to get used to it, but I had to put up with it!” – Sarah S., Mint Hill, North Carolina.
Pro tip: Try over-the-counter topical treatments like hydrocortisone ointment or hemorrhoid ointment to reduce inflammation and feel more comfortable. You can also take 10-15 minute sitz baths or use a cold compress to relieve symptoms.
Incontinence.
“Toward the end of my pregnancy, I peed when I laughed, sneezed, etc. This was due to my son sitting on my bladder. One day I thought my water had broken. Fortunately, I was at home and checked - just urine! And once I was driving home and I really wanted to go to the toilet. She ran into the house, but did not have time to run to the toilet in time. Peed right in front of my husband. He was tactful enough not to comment on it.” —Stephanie T., St. Louis, MO.
Pro tip: If you're suffering from incontinence or another pelvic floor problem during or after pregnancy, a personalized session with a physical therapist can help with an exercise program to strengthen these key muscles involved in pregnancy and childbirth.
Allocations.
“From the very beginning I had heavy discharge, and by the end I had to change my underwear twice a day” - Cathy P., Chicago, Illinois.
Pro Tip: The natural hormonal shift that occurs during pregnancy can cause increased discharge. In addition, because the walls of the cervix and vagina become softer, the body increases secretions to prevent infections. It is best to stock up on thin pads in such a situation.
Food allergies and sensitivities.
“It’s so strange what reactions your body can produce during pregnancy. Somewhere in the middle of my second pregnancy, I developed an allergic reaction to raw carrots, unroasted nuts, and avocados. Today - 3.5 years later - I still can't eat them. Literally nothing else has changed except the fact that I am pregnant.” – Mandy S., Germantown, Maryland.
Pro Tip: Hormonal changes can be the culprit behind food sensitivity and aversion. In particular, the level of human chorionic gonadotropic hormone (hCG), determined in pregnancy tests, levels off at about 11 weeks of gestation. Prior to this, it is hCG that causes nausea, cravings and aversion to certain foods, but jumping hormones continue to influence the body's reaction to food later.
Nausea in the third trimester.
“I was surprised when I threw up not because of toxicosis, but because of the position of my daughter in the third trimester. She just pushed the food back - without warning. It was so disgusting. My doctor said there was nothing to be done about it.” —Lauren W., Stamford, Connecticut.
Pro tip: Like the doctor said, there's nothing you can do about it.
Super scent.
“I had a heightened sense of smell. I smelled things I had never smelled before! For example, people's perfumes, body odor, and the aroma of food was so intense. I also had an aversion to certain food odors, such as garlic, onion, and meat, which made me nauseous. I also couldn't stand the way my husband smelled, except when he just took a shower!" — Briana H., Boston, Massachusetts.
Pro tip: You may have an increased sense of smell or hyperosmia during pregnancy due to fluctuating hCG levels. The study found that many pregnant women experience this during the first trimester.
Excess gases.
“I had severe flatulence! It started in the first trimester. Obviously, when your body produces the hormone relaxin, it relaxes the ligaments and, apparently, the stomach ”- Sia A., Destin, Florida.
Pro tip: Not only is the hormone relaxin responsible for increased gas levels, but the hormone progesterone is also responsible for relaxing muscles, including those in the intestines. This means that your digestion slows down and this leads to flatulence as well as burping and bloating. Try to move at least 30 minutes a day, such as taking short walks, to speed up digestion and reduce gas.
Terrible heartburn and constant nasal congestion.
“I wish I knew about heartburn. I had to sleep sitting up for almost my entire pregnancy. It really felt like a fire in my chest - just awful. As soon as I gave birth, everything immediately went away. I also had severe nasal congestion. I couldn't breathe through my nose! Especially when trying to sleep. Apparently, this is a known phenomenon - rhinitis during pregnancy - but I had no idea about it. I was helped by strips for expanding the nasal passages BreezeRight, which I glued before going to bed. Pregnancy is crazy! – Janine S., Maplewood, New Jersey.
Pro tip: Changes in how the esophagus muscles move, how the stomach empties, and in what position it's in lead to heartburn problems throughout pregnancy. Try cutting out foods that cause heartburn from your diet, eat more often, but in small portions, and do not drink food. You can drink between meals.
A new concept of the norm.
"I wish I knew there was no 'normal' about how you feel when you're pregnant. I saw movies and read some articles about early pregnancy and none of it matched what I was experiencing. In the first trimester, I did not feel any nausea. Instead, I was extremely hungry and gained more than 13 kilograms.
I didn't "shine". My hair became greasy and fell out. I had terrible acne and my skin became so sensitive that it could barely bear being touched. Everyone said how excited I would feel. I had already had three miscarriages before, so all I felt was fear and horror. I thought something was wrong with me. I wish I knew how different pregnancies vary from woman to woman - and even from pregnancy to woman - so that doesn't mean anything was wrong." - Lisa D., Santa Rosa, California.
Pro Tip: Hollywood's portrayal of pregnant women is unrealistic. It's completely normal if you don't feel like a radiant, fashion-magazine-cover goddess.
Night without sleep.
“I was ready for changes in the body, but insomnia came as a surprise. I was so tired, but I couldn't sleep. I stayed up all night thinking, worrying, planning, furnishing the house.” – Brisha J., Baltimore, Maryland.
Pro tip: To relax, don't sit in front of a screen for at least an hour before you go to bed, as the blue glow of gadgets can throw off your body's biological clock. You can also take a relaxing bath. Just make sure the water is not too hot as this can harm your baby.
Itchy urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy.
“Itchy urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy are a terrible, incredibly itchy rash that is caused by no one knows what is being treated and does not go away until after childbirth. And that is not always the case. In my case, she did not disappear until six weeks after giving birth. I wanted to tear my skin!” – Janie M., Chicago, Illinois.
Pro tip: Although the exact cause of this rash is unknown, experts suggest that it may be due to stretching of the skin during pregnancy. Baking soda or oatmeal baths can relieve the itching caused by the rash.
"Mask" on the face.
“Melasma is a disorder of skin pigmentation on the face on the cheeks, nose and forehead. I noticed this in my second trimester. I bought sunscreen for my skin and tried to stay out of the sun.” – Christina S., Riverdale, NJ.
Pro Tip: Most women get better with melasma after childbirth, but you can see a specialist who can recommend a cream or topical steroids to lighten the skin.
Seizures.
“I had leg cramps. I woke up screaming in pain. Like I was being killed. It hurt so much! And I was so scared the first time it happened, around 5 months, because I already had problems with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). But I called my doctor, and he sent me to the emergency room, where I found out that it was cramps caused by dehydration and a lack of magnesium. And these, of course, are all old beliefs, but my friend advised me to put a bar of soap under the sheet, and the cramps stopped!” — Dima S., Chicago, Illinois.
Pro tip: We'll say, "Put a bar of soap under the sheet and drink it. Water, naturally.
Tendovaginitis de Quervain.
“I felt terrible pain in my arms towards the end of my pregnancy; this is called de Quervain's tendovaginitis. I googled and asked my doctor about it when the pain persisted even after the birth of my son. I ended up getting a cortisone injection to help with the pain.” – Patty B., Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
Pro tip: De Quervain's tenosynovitis is caused by fluid retention and is often worsened after childbirth due to the repetitive movements associated with nursing and breastfeeding. If the pain persists, you should see your doctor for an injection of steroids to relieve the inflammation, followed by a splint to allow the sore tendons to heal faster.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS).
“I think it started somewhere around the second trimester. It feels like your legs just need to move, and the more you resist, the more unbearable it becomes until you literally jump out of bed. It makes it so difficult to sleep. I was told to drink more fluids, but nothing helped until I gave birth. I still feel it from time to time, but it didn't stop during pregnancy, and I've never experienced it before.” – Aubrey D., Springfield, Illinois.
Pro Tip: While RLS usually goes away after giving birth, you can alleviate the condition by getting into a more regular sleep pattern, doing light exercise daily, and stretching or kneading your leg muscles in the evenings.
Divorced before birth.
“I was surprised to feel my pelvic bone literally fall apart at least two months before giving birth. This is called the divergence of the pubic articulation. And this whole "all the tendons are stretched" thing. Usually you hear about the hips, but literally everything starts to move apart ”- Billy S., Los Angeles, California.
Pro tip: This is normal, but you should see your doctor if you feel constant pain. Physical and hydrotherapy (or pool exercises) can help.
Hair, hair and more hair.
“I drank more than 4 liters of water daily and I have never been a big drinker. But at that time I was constantly thirsty - it was some kind of madness! Oh, and those facial hairs. It was terrible!" — Colleen K., Elmhurst, Illinois.
Pro tip: Hirsutism, or excess hair growth on your face or body, is definitely normal for pregnant women due to unexpected hormone surges. In order not to take medication, head to the nearest salon for facial hair removal and sugaring sessions and do not turn anywhere.
stomach problems
emotional experiences
Skin problems
Physical failures
Summing up
While your best friend may have suffered from an itchy rash and your sister-in-law may have battled terrible bouts of fatigue, every woman's pregnancy is a unique experience. And that means you never know what awaits you during your own pregnancy.
Fortunately, one thing that all expectant mothers have in common, without exception, is the fact that sooner or later everyone will experience incredible symptoms. So no matter what set of weird physical, spiritual, or emotional side effects you experience, you can rely on the support of your mom (and healthcare) community throughout your pregnancy.
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